COLCHESTER'S third Lidl store has moved a step closer to being built after planners rubber stamped a number of planning conditions.

Colchester Council's planning department has approved a number of conditions relating to the new store, in St Andrew's Avenue.

The latest details to be approved are for the trolley bay, cycle shelter, bus stop and electric vehicle charging points at the former Homebase site.

A separate application submitted by Costa, which will also be moving in on the site, has also been approved to install signage for the new coffee shop.

German supermarket giant Lidl is set to create its third store in the town at the old Homebase site, creating about 40 jobs.

As well as a large supermarket, two additional units will be created at the former DIY store site, which has been empty since 2018.

These will be occupied by Costa Coffee, with an adjoining drive-thru, and Subway.

Last month a large fire broke out inside the old Homebase, with an investigation ruling it was started deliberately.

It is now known how the fire will affect plans for the new supermarket.

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The Lidl store is set to be open 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays whilst the other units can operate between 6am and 11pm each day of the week.